Sweets + Desserts

Fruit Tea Mocktails

Iced Fruit Tea Mocktails

Here is a recipe for a festive, sweet mocktail. This one was dreamed up because part of my recovery plan is drinking lots and lots of warm water. So I sipped and sipped and sipped. Water can be boring after a while, if that is all you are drinking, and […]

Lemon Coconut Scones

Lemon Coconut Scones

This is a part of my April 2023 Times Union story. See the whole thing here. Paul and I both love to have a little bit of baked something around the house, a plate on the counter of something buttery and sweet. It’s usually something that’s good with coffee or […]

Spiced Carrot Bread with Gingersnap Crumble

This recipe is part of my March 2023 TU story. Read it all here. Now, on to the sweet part: I baked up a loaf of carrot bread, so we would have some sugary carbs to eat, both before and after a long run. Here’s the deal with this cake-disguised-as-bread […]

Banana Nutella Empanada

Banana Nutella Empanadas

This recipe is part of my February TU story and goes along with Olive Salad, Spanish Style and Patatas Bravas with Saffron Alioli.   Paul and I were surprised to learn how beloved chocolate is in Spain. Hot chocolate was as common as coffee. There were stores selling boxed chocolates […]

Apricot Ginger Pistachio Bars

Ginger Apricot Pistachio Bars

These bars are part of my January 2023 TU story, and go along with Cowboy Caviar, Only Better and Roasted Broccoli Soup with Turmeric and Coconut Milk. The standards for fun around here reached an all-time low when I began looking at baking as a legitimate event, something that not […]

Pumpkin Cake with Spiced Cranberry Swirl

Makes one 9-inch cake For the topping: 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries, chopped 1 cup granulated sugar Pinch salt Peeled zest from ½ orange (about 6 strips) 2 tablespoons dark rum ⅛ teaspoon cloves For the cake:  ½ cup olive oil 2 eggs ½ cup applesauce 1 cup granulated sugar, […]

Vanilla Pumpkin Spice Pudding

Serves 6 ½ cup sugar ⅓ cup brown sugar ¼ cup cornstarch 1 rounded teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon clove ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 3 cups whole milk (almond or soy milk works too) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup pumpkin puree Whipped cream, for serving In a […]

Apple Cinnamon Scones

Makes 8 scones 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon kosher salt 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 tablespoon cinnamon ½ cup raw or golden sugar (see note) 6 tablespoons very cold unsalted butter ½ medium tart apple, peeled ½ cup milk For topping: ¼ cup raw sugar Butter, for serving […]

Vanilla Chai Spice Pudding

Vanilla Chai Spice Pudding

This recipe is part of my April Times Union story. Read it all here. My mother taught me how to love and appreciate all tea. I have sweet memories of barely warm chamomile tea made the way I liked it: with plenty of milk and sugar, served by my mom. […]

Recipes for Crepes with Nutella and fruit

Stacked Crepes with Nutella and Fruit

This is part of my March 2022 TU story. Read it all here. Would it be strange to pack a crepe pan among the twin sheets and towels bound for the dorm? I have never known a child or adult to not adore crepes, and knowing how to make them […]